"This has been an exceptional storm, both meteorologically and in terms of its real-world impacts," said weather.com meteorologist Nick Wiltgen. "Not only did record snow fall, but the road and rail system in the region was virtually paralyzed.

"The French media is raising all sorts of questions about whether the French government is adequately prepared for these types of winter storms, and some are questioning whether Météo France issued strong enough warnings far enough in advance of the storm."

A forecaster at France's national meteorological agency, Météo France, says it was northern France's worst March snowstorm since 1970, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.

Eurostar train service under the English Channel resumed Wednesday after being suspended most of Tuesday, but trains were running much more slowly than usual because of the icy tracks, causing delays.

Thousands of cars were stuck or moving slowly on roads around northern France Wednesday morning as authorities - and the army - tried to clear snow. Tens of thousands of homes in northern France remain without electricity, with temperatures below freezing across the region.

Belgium was still suffering long train delays Wednesday.

French newspaper Le Monde reported Wednesday that the French government "insisted" that Météo France upgrade 19 departments to an "orange alert" for the snowstorm as snow and ice clogged major travel arteries.

Eventually the departments of Manche and Calvados, along the English Channel, were upgraded again to the highest-possible warning, a "red alert," as reported snowfall totals surpassed the one-foot mark. Météo France confirmed this was the first time they had ever issued a red alert for snowfall in the 12-year history of its color-coded warning system.